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Domain modeling with Spring Data Neo4j
We're going to start really simply here by building a person CI. It's useful to have people in the CMDB for various reasons: they allow you to define fine-grained access controls (e.g., Jim can deploy such-and-such apps to the development environment; Eric can deploy whatever he wants wherever he wants; etc.); they allow you to define groups who will receive notifications for critical events and incidents; etc.
Our person CI will have a username, first and last names, some phone numbers, an e-mail address, a manager, direct reports and finally projects he or she works on. We need to be able to display people in a list view, display a given person in a details view, allow users to create, edit and delete people and so on. Here for example is what the list view will look like, at least for now:
And here's how our details view will look:
The relationship between a person and a project has an associated role. This relationship is also the basis for the list of collaborators: two people are collaborators if there's at least one project of which they're both members.
Our simple requirements should be enough to show what it feels like to write Spring Data Neo4j code.
First we'll create the Person. I've suppressed the validation and JAXB annotations since they're irrelevant for our current purposes:
package org.skydingo.skybase.model; import java.util.Set; import org.neo4j.graphdb.Direction; import org.skydingo.skybase.model.relationship.ProjectMembership; import org.springframework.data.neo4j.annotation.*; import org.springframework.data.neo4j.support.index.IndexType; @NodeEntity public class Person implements Comparable<Person> { @GraphId private Long id; @Indexed(indexType = IndexType.FULLTEXT, indexName = "searchByUsername") private String username; private String firstName, lastName, title, workPhone, mobilePhone, email; @RelatedTo(type = "REPORTS_TO") private Person manager; @RelatedTo(type = "REPORTS_TO", direction = Direction.INCOMING) private Set<Person> directReports; @RelatedToVia(type = "MEMBER_OF") private Set<ProjectMembership> memberships; public Long getId() { return id; } public void setId(Long id) { this.id = id; } public String getUsername() { return username; } public void setUsername(String username) { this.username = username; } ... other accessor methods ... public Person getManager() { return manager; } public void setManager(Person manager) { this.manager = manager; } public Set<Person> getDirectReports() { return directReports; } public void setDirectReports(Set<Person> directReports) { this.directReports = directReports; } public Iterable<ProjectMembership> getMemberships() { return memberships; } public ProjectMembership memberOf(Project project, String role) { ProjectMembership membership = new ProjectMembership(this, project, role); memberships.add(membership); return membership; } ... equals(), hashCode(), compareTo() ... }
There are lots of annotations we're using to put a structure in place. Let's start with nodes and their properties. Then we'll look at simple relationships between nodes. Then we'll look at so-called relationship entities, which are basically fancy relationships. First, here's an abstract representation of our domain model:
Now let's look at some details.
Nodes and their properties. When we have a node-backed entity, first we annotate it with the @NodeEntity annotation. Most of the simple node properties (i.e., properties that aren't relationships to other nodes) come along for the ride. Notice that I didn't have to annotate firstName, lastName, email, and so forth. Spring Data Neo4j will handle the mapping there automatically.
There are a couple of exceptions though. The first one is that I put @GraphId on my id property. This tells Spring Data Neo4j that this is an identifier that we can use for lookups. The other one is the @Indexed annotation, which (surprise) creates an index for the property in question. This is useful when you want an alternative to ID-based lookup.
Now we'll look at relationships. Speaking broadly, there are simple relationships and more advanced relationships. We'll start with the simple ones.
Simple relationships. At a low level, Neo4j is a graph database, so we can talk about the graph in graph theoretical terms like nodes, edges, directed edges, DAGs and all that. But here we're using graphs for domain modeling, so we interpret low-level graph concepts in terms of higher-level domain modeling concepts. The language that Spring Data Neo4j uses is "node entity" for nodes, and "relationships" for edges.
Our Person CI has a simple relationship, called REPORTS_TO, that relates people so we can model reporting hierarchies. Person has two fields for this relationship: manager and directReports. These are opposite sites of the same relationship. We use @RelatedTo(type = "REPORTS_TO") to annotate these fields. The annotation has a direction element as well, whose default value is Direction.OUTGOING, which means that "this" node is the edge tail. That's why we specify direction = Direction.INCOMING explicitly for the directReports field.
What's this look like in the database? Neoclipse reveals all. Here are some example reporting relationships (click the image for a larger view):
(Small aside: there's a @Fetch annotation–we'll see it in a moment–that tells Spring Data Neo4j to eager load a related entity. For some reason I'm not having to use it for the manager and direct reports relationships, and I'm not sure why. If somebody knows, I'd appreciate the explanation.)
Relationship entities. Besides the REPORTS_TO relationship between people, we care about the MEMBER_OF relationship between people and projects. This one's more interesting than the REPORTS_TO relationship because MEMBER_OF has an associated property–role–that's analogous to adding a column to a link table in a RDBMS, as I mentioned in my reply to Brig in the last post. The Person.memberOf() method provides a convenient way to assign a person to a project using a special ProjectMembership "relationship entity". Here's the code:
package org.skydingo.skybase.model.relationship; import org.skydingo.skybase.model.Person; import org.skydingo.skybase.model.Project; import org.springframework.data.neo4j.annotation.*; @RelationshipEntity(type = "MEMBER_OF") public class ProjectMembership { @GraphId private Long id; @Fetch @StartNode private Person person; @Fetch @EndNode private Project project; private String role; public ProjectMembership() { } public ProjectMembership(Person person, Project project, String role) { this.person = person; this.project = project; this.role = role; } public Person getPerson() { return person; } public void setPerson(Person person) { this.person = person; } public Project getProject() { return project; } public void setProject(Project project) { this.project = project; } public String getRole() { return role; } public void setRole(String role) { this.role = role; } ... equals(), hashCode(), toString() ... }
ProjectMembership, like Person, is an entity, but it's a relationship entity. We use @RelationshipEntity(type = "MEMBER_OF") to mark this as a relationship entity, and as with the Person, we use @GraphId for the id property. The @StartNode and @EndNode annotations indicate the edge tail and head, respectively. @Fetch tells Spring Data Neo4j to load the nodes eagerly. By default, Spring Data Neo4j doesn't eagerly load relationships since risks loading the entire graph into memory.
Here's our PersonRepository interface:
package org.skydingo.skybase.repository; import java.util.Set; import org.skydingo.skybase.model.Person; import org.skydingo.skybase.model.Project; import org.springframework.data.neo4j.annotation.Query; import org.springframework.data.neo4j.repository.GraphRepository; public interface PersonRepository extends GraphRepository<Person> { Person findByUsername(String username); @Query("start project=node({0}) match project<--person return person") Set<Person> findByProject(Project project); @Query( "start person=node({0}) " + "match person-[:MEMBER_OF]->project<-[:MEMBER_OF]-collaborator " + "return collaborator") Set<Person> findCollaborators(Person person); }
I noted in the last post that all we need to do is extend the GraphRepository interface; Spring Data generates the implementation automatically.
For findByUsername(), Spring Data can figure out what the intended query is there. For the other two queries, we use @Query and the Cypher query language to specify the desired result set. The {0} in the queries refers to the finder method parameter. In the findCollaborators() query, we use [:MEMBER_OF] to indicate which relationship we want to follow. These return Sets instead of Iterables to eliminate duplicates.
We won't cover the entire controller here, but we'll cover some representative methods. Assume that we've injected a PersonRepository into the controller.
Creating a person. To create a person, we can use the following:
@RequestMapping(value = "", method = RequestMethod.POST) public String createPerson(Model model, @ModelAttribute Person person) { personRepo.save(person); return "redirect:/people?a=created"; }
Once again, we're ignoring validation. All we have to do is call the save() method on the repository. That's how updates work too.
Finding all people. Next, here's how we can get all people:
@RequestMapping(value = "", method = RequestMethod.GET) public String getPersonList(Model model) { Iterable<Person> personIt = personRepo.findAll(); List<Person> people = new ArrayList<Person>(IteratorUtil.asCollection(personIt)); Collections.sort(people); model.addAttribute(people); return "personList"; }
We have to do some work to get the Iterable that PersonRepository.findAll() returns into the format we want. IteratorUtil, which comes with Neo4j (org.neo4j.helpers.collection.IteratorUtil), helps here.
Finding a single person. Here we want to display the personal details we built out above. As with findAll(), we have to do some of the massaging ourselves:
@RequestMapping(value = "/{username}", method = RequestMethod.GET) public String getPersonDetails(@PathVariable String username, Model model) { Person person = personRepo.findByUsername(username); List<ProjectMembership> memberships = CollectionsUtil.asList(person.getMemberships()); List<Person> directReports = CollectionsUtil.asList(person.getDirectReports()); List<Person> collaborators = CollectionsUtil.asList(personRepo.findCollaborators(person)); Collections.sort(directReports); Collections.sort(collaborators); model.addAttribute(person); model.addAttribute("memberships", memberships); model.addAttribute("directReports", directReports); model.addAttribute("collaborators", collaborators); return "personDetails"; }
If you want to see the JSPs, check out the Skybase GitHub site.
Finally, here's my beans-service.xml file:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <beans xmlns="http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans" xmlns:context="http://www.springframework.org/schema/context" xmlns:neo4j="http://www.springframework.org/schema/data/neo4j" xmlns:p="http://www.springframework.org/schema/p" xmlns:tx="http://www.springframework.org/schema/tx" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation=" http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans/spring-beans-3.0.xsd http://www.springframework.org/schema/context http://www.springframework.org/schema/context/spring-context-3.0.xsd http://www.springframework.org/schema/data/neo4j http://www.springframework.org/schema/data/neo4j/spring-neo4j-2.0.xsd http://www.springframework.org/schema/tx http://www.springframework.org/schema/tx/spring-tx-3.0.xsd"> <context:property-placeholder location="classpath:/spring/environment.properties" /> <context:annotation-config /> <context:component-scan base-package="org.skydingo.skybase.service" /> <tx:annotation-driven mode="proxy" /> <neo4j:config storeDirectory="${graphDb.dir}" /> <neo4j:repositories base-package="org.skydingo.skybase.repository" /> </beans>
Neo4j has a basic POJO-based mapping model and an advanced AspectJ-based mapping model. In this blog post we've been using the basic POJO-based approach, so we don't need to include AspectJ-related configuration like <context:spring-configured>.
There you have it–a Person CI backed by Neo4j. Happy coding!
To see the code in more detail, or to get involved in Skybase development, please see the Skybase GitHub site.
Reference: Domain modeling with Spring Data Neo4j from our JCG partner Willie Wheeler at the Skydingo blog.
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When news breaks – whether the story of a disease outbreak, a terrorist attack or a natural disaster – people increasingly turn to the internet and social media. Individuals use Twitter and Facebook as primary sources for news and information. Social media platforms – including Reddit, Wikipedia and other emerging outlets such as Snapchat – are distinct from traditional broadcast and print media. But they've become powerful tools for communicating rapidly and without intermediary gatekeepers, like editors.
The problem is that social media is also a great way to spread misinformation, too. Millions of Americans shape their ideas on complex and controversial scientific questions – things like personal genetic testing, genetically modified foods and their use of antibiotics – based on what they see on social media. Even many traditional news organizations and media outlets report incomplete aspects of scientific studies, or misinterpret the findings and highlight unusual claims. Once these items enter into the social media echo chamber, they're amplified. The facts become lost in the shuffle of competing information, limited attention or both.
A recent workshop about Social Media Effects on Scientific Controversies that we convened through the Center for Mobile Communication Studies at Boston University fielded a panel of interdisciplinary experts to discuss their own experiences and research in communicating science online. These public scholars examined the extent to which social media has disrupted scientific understanding. Most indicated it's more possible than ever for researchers to participate meaningfully in public debates and contribute to the creation and diffusion of scientific knowledge – but social media presents many pitfalls along the way.
Post a lot, know a lot?
Our team from the Emerging Media Studies division at Boston University presented new findings that indicate social media can perpetuate misinformation about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and may contribute indirectly to the misuse of antibiotics.
In a nationwide survey, we found that the more frequently respondents reported posting and sharing any information online to social media, they were increasingly likely to be highly misinformed about AMR. This suggests that those individuals most active in contributing to social media were actually propagating inaccurate information. Our finding follows previous studies of online rumors: people are more likely to believe political rumors and share them with others when they're received via email from friends or family.
We also found traditional media use – watching television, listening to talk radio, reading newspapers – was also related to higher levels of AMR misinformation. When taken together, our findings suggest there may be a misinformation cycle taking shape. Traditional media exposure, it seems, can be a source of AMR misinformation. Increased posting of content to social media reinforces misinformation, and in our study those higher levels of AMR misinformation are shown to increase the likelihood that individuals will misuse antibiotics. Eventually, such misuse increases antimicrobial resistance, which makes it harder for us to treat illnesses and may give rise to superbugs.
"Scienceploitation" on social media
Another panelist was University of Alberta law and public health professor Tim Caulfield, who actively works to diminish the phenomenon he calls "scienceploitation." He defines the term as when media reporting takes a legitimate area of science and inaccurately simplifies it for the general public.
Scienceploitation is embodied in especially egregious "click-bait" headlines. Think the Huffington Post erroneously equating a glass of red wine to an hour at the gym, or the viral hoax study that linked eating chocolate with losing weight.
Caulfield himself studies how stem cell clinics market unproven therapies for serious diseases and the way widespread acceptance of these treatments often goes virtually unchallenged on social media. For example, he analyzed Twitter users' reactions to the (now deceased) former professional hockey player Gordie Howe receiving stem cell treatments in Mexico after a stroke.
A vast majority (78.8 percent) of tweets on the topic mentioned improvements to Howe's health. By contrast, only a single tweet explicitly mentioned that Howe's stem cell treatment was unproven. Just three tweets out of 2,783 warned that direct-to-consumer stem cell treatments lack the robust body of scientific evidence required for FDA approval.
Caulfield's work has illustrated how social media can be a vehicle for hype that creates insular bubbles of information and online echo chambers. In these spaces, ideas and misinformation can readily be reinforced because of the lack of diverse viewpoints and critiquing of ideas.
A tone issue
Beyond misinformation, hype, and other forms of scienceploitation on social media, there is at least one other serious threat to the effective communication of science online: the lack of civility in online and social media forums.
Exposure to uncivil comments can increase polarization among users, particularly related to science topics, such as nanotechnology, and perceptions of risk. In another study, we found that civility and politeness decrease when users post comments to social media from mobile devices – a growing issue as more and more people access social media this way.
Together these factors suggest a trend that is hard to break, even when scientists directly and actively engage with the public through social media. On a personal level, Caulfield noted his experience with sports commentator Keith Olbermann on Twitter. Their opinion exchange became contentious after Olbermann hosted on his ESPN television show the owner of the clinic Gordie Howe visited. According to Caulfield:
It was outraging – a 15-minute advertisement for this clinic in Mexico. There was no critical reflection at all…. I tried to engage Keith Olbermann and start talking [on Twitter], and what does he do? He blocks me.
Kevin Folta from the University of Florida, one of the more visible and prominent scientists in the field of genetically modified food, has had similar and even more extreme experiences. At our workshop, he reported receiving bomb threats at his home. He's often the subject of hostile personal memes, as are many users who actively participate in the debate of scientific facts on social media.
Getting to the root cause of why the discourse devolves so quickly online is difficult. Psychologist John Suler described ingredients that contribute to what he identifies as the online disinhibition effect. Posting to strangers, anonymously, semi-anonymously, or with pseudo accounts factors in. Commenters aren't face to face with each other and are able to dissociate from the fact they're dealing with other human beings. Altogether this forms a rationale for why users tend to become uncivil and aggressively defend content that may not even be accurate.
Further, the perceived nasty climate of public opinion in social media spaces may also lead the less outgoing to remain silent rather than enter into a debate where their views may not be treated with respect.
What does work for online communication
Kevin Folta places part of the blame for this communication breakdown on the scientists themselves. He stated that among researchers:
There is a disconnected arrogance that turns off the public and does not get them excited about learning more. Social media and the internet are a conduit of bad information. On social media it's easy to find information that scares you and scientists are not participating in trying to make it right.
Piper Below, an epidemiologist from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, is a proponent of scientists productively engaging online. She told our workshop that the social media platform Reddit is the greatest opportunity for scientists to accurately get the word out to the public about their research.
On the Reddit site, members share links and posts about a myriad of interests, making it essentially an online bulletin board system. Through Ask Me Anything (AMA) posts – basically a crowd-sourced interview – users submit questions directly to scientists who moderate the discussions and provide detailed answers. Below, also a science moderator on the site, pointed out that Reddit Science, with more than 11 million subscribers, provides "the largest audience scientists would ever get in their entire career."
Yet even Reddit can leave scientific findings opaque if information is presented in a dense way not easily accessible for a broad public audience.
Some scientists and agencies are pursuing new modes of communication, such as brief scientific animations to summarize and share research. The goal remains increasing understanding and minimizing potential distortion or oversimplification of scientific findings. But these short videos, such as the one we developed for our AMR study, as well as interactive online modules, offer ways to reshape information campaigns.
Social media has been transformative in how it has democratized communication. But it's a double-edged sword: social media allows scientists to correct misinformation by communicating their findings with public audiences to promote an understanding of complex issues. Equally dangerously, though, social-media activism has the potential not only to distort public understanding of these critical issues but also to disrupt governmental support and policy regulations.

subset: commoncrawl


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Big, burly and badass! DH strength without the weight.
- Unidirectional carbon weave
- Up to 25% lighter than aluminum counterparts
- Stiff with excellent vibration damping for those long descents
- 35mm clamp
- Extensively tested and proven design, carbon bars you can trust
- 15mm, 25mm and 35mm rise options
Material // Premium unidirectional carbon weave
Width // 800mm (31.5")
Clamp Size // 35mm
Rise // 15mm, 25mm or 35mm (.6", 1", 1.4")
Bend // 9°
Upsweep // 5°
Weight // 235g
Zedler is known within the cycling industry as the foremost test institute for bicycle frames and components. Based in Germany, they have been making test equipment and conducting third party testing for 30 years. In the cycling industry, the most common testing standard for bicycles and components, the EN/ISO Standard, is decades old and not really relatable to the kind of loads that modern components see. For this reason, Zedler have created test standards that test up to the EN/ISO standard and then far beyond this, to simulate the most extreme scenarios that today's components will see in use.
Part of the latest evolution of our handlebars was to ensure that all of the design improvements we've made translated in to real-world, measurable increases in performance. Part of this was to build our own test lab and equipment, where we can test prototype and also production batches of handlebars for safety and performance. We also sent our new carbon bars to Zedler to test them to their high industry standard, which allows us to benchmark them against other products available on the market.
The tests in question relate to the fatigue life of the bar, and are designed to simulate the loads that the handlebar will see over its entire service life. These include a precisely designed and controlled sequence of loads on the handlebar in all directions, and also a 'Push-Pull Test' which as the name suggests, pushes and pulls on the bars with a high force, in the middle of the test. In the real world, this could relate to landing a large drop to flat after already riding the bar for a few years.
Both the Cutlass and BZA passed the highest test standard available from Zedler, the 'Advanced Plus' test. Both handlebars were intact at the end of these tests, and we stopped 'End of Life' testing when it became clear that it may take many more rounds of testing to see a failures from the bars.


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How sunshine cuts blood pressure - and makes you thinner! New research reveals benefits that AREN'T linked to vitamin D
- Even taking skin-cancer risk into account, scientists say the sun is healthy
- Research indicates it protects us against a wide range of lethal conditions
- Specifically, sun exposure prompts our bodies to produce nitric oxide that helps defend our cardiovascular system
The sun has got his hat on, our moods feel lighter and we are gripped by a desire to soak up some solar rays. But no, we keep being told: the threat of skin cancer makes this potentially lethal.
Now, however, scientists are discovering a positive side to sun-worshipping. Even taking the skin-cancer risk fully into account, they say that getting a good dose of sunshine is statistically going to make us live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Emerging research indicates that sunlight may protect us against a wide range of lethal or disabling conditions, such as obesity, heart attacks, strokes, asthma, and multiple sclerosis. Sunshine has also been shown to boost our libidos and general mood.
This is not simply about vitamin D — which our skin manufactures from sunlight. The vitamin helps us build healthy bones and teeth and may protect against bowel cancer. But new research indicates that solar rays benefit our bodies in multiple other ways.
Scientists now believe, for example, that exposure to sun prompts our bodies to produce nitric oxide, a chemical that helps protect our cardiovascular system — and the feelgood brain-chemical serotonin.
Even taking skin-cancer risk into account, scientists say the sun is healthy in moderate doses
A major clue about sunshine's benefits has emerged from a study of nearly 30,000 Swedish women whose sunbathing habits have been followed for 20 years.
In March investigators, from the world-renowned Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, concluded that avoiding the sun is actually as bad for you as smoking.
The study, in the Journal of Internal Medicine, found that 1.5 women in 100 who reported they had the highest exposure to ultraviolet light (by sunbathing up to once a day) were found to have died during the two decades, compared with three in 100 for women who said they had avoided sunbathing.
The avid sunbathers had a significantly lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and other conditions that were not related to cancer, the research explains.
Dr Pelle Lindqvist, the epidemiologist who led the study, says the research also found that: 'Non-smokers who avoided the sun had a life expectancy similar to smokers in the highest sun exposure group, indicating that avoiding the sun is a risk factor for death of a similar magnitude to smoking.'
Dr Richard Weller, senior lecturer in dermatology at Edinburgh University, last year published a report in the journal Maturitas warning that older people in particular need to get into the sun more. 'Advice on healthy sun exposure needs to be reconsidered,' he urges. 'The older population are particularly sun-deprived as shown by low blood levels of vitamin D and lack of outdoor activity.'
He adds that there is a reduction in cardiovascular disease and deaths from all causes with increased sun exposure. Two years ago, Dr Weller's team established that exposure to sunlight may lower people's blood pressure and thus cut their risk of heart attack and stroke. This benefit has nothing to do with vitamin D.
Scientists now believe, for example, that exposure to sun prompts our bodies to produce nitric oxide, a chemical that helps protect our cardiovascular system — and the feelgood brain-chemical serotonin
Instead, it is due to the fact that when our skin is exposed to the sun a compound — called nitric oxide — is released in our blood vessels which in turn lowers blood pressure by causing blood vessels to widen.
Dr Weller told Good Health: 'It also appears that sunlight alters the way that our genes behave. Last year, Cambridge University scientists showed that the expression of 28 per cent of our entire genetic make-up varies from season to season.'
The Cambridge investigators reported in the journal Nature Communications that in winter we increase the activity of inflammatory immune-system genes — to combat infectious bugs — and in summer we increase the activity of anti-inflammatory genes.
Chronic inflammation is linked to modern epidemics such as heart attacks, diabetes and cancer. Such inflammation results from our immune systems fighting infectious invaders. But this comes at a cost — as the tissue damage caused by long-term inflammation can itself cause disease. The Cambridge research indicates that sunlight may prompt our bodies to switch down the inflammatory response.
'As well as nitric oxide and gene expression, I think there will be other factors that we have yet to discover,' says Dr Weller.
'There is a correlation between more sun and less disease in a variety of conditions such as multiple sclerosis and atherosclerosis (where arteries are clogged by fatty substances known as atheroma).'
However, the causal link is yet to be shown.
Scientists are discovering sunlight may even help us keep slim and healthy, according to studies by the Universities of Southampton and Edinburgh that kept mice on high-fat diets while they were exposed to the spectrum of ultraviolet light found in sunshine.
The results show that ultraviolet radiation may suppress the development of obesity and the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. These benefits were again independent of the effects of vitamin D, the researchers report in the journal Diabetes in 2014. Instead they believe the effects are again as a result of the sun boosting production of nitric oxide. The suggestion is that without enough nitric oxide in the bloodstream, insulin may not work properly, allowing diabetes to set in.
Other research indicates that being exposed to plentiful sunlight may reduce our risk of stroke.
Epidemiologists have used weather-satellite records to determine how much sunlight more than 16,000 people living across the U.S. individually experienced over a period of 15 years.
The University of Alabama analysis revealed that the more sunshine someone experienced, the lower their risk of stroke. The study in the journal, Annals of Neurology in 2013, called for further research.
We all tend to feel happier when the sun is out, and this is not simply a matter of morale. Research shows that the main wavelength of light in sunlight stimulates sensors in our retina which regulate our body clock. This in turn regulates the amount of melatonin, the sleep hormone,that our bodies release.
Studies such as a report by Sweden's Uppsala University last month in the journal PLOS One show disruption of melatonin levels is linked to depression, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Lack of sunlight has physical effects on children, too. A study by the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence in Vision Science in 2009 found those who spend most of their time indoors have a significantly increased incidence of 'high myopia'.
The researchers believe that the neurotransmitter dopamine is responsible. It is known to inhibit the excessive eyeball growth that causes myopia. Sunshine causes the retina to release more dopamine.
Lack of sunlight has physical effects on children. A study by the Australian Research Council in 2009 found that those who spend most of their time indoors have increased incidence of 'high myopia'
Sunlight also lifts men's libidos, according to an Austrian study of 2,299 men published in 2010.
Hormone experts at the University of Gratz discovered that the men's levels of the male sex hormone testosterone peak in the month of August, and fall in the winter, hitting their lowest levels in March.
Could such physical benefits actually outweigh the risk of developing skin cancer?
The official NHS guidance clearly says not. 'There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan from sunlight,' it states, adding that we should try to stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm from March to October, to cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses during these times, and to use at least SPF15 sunscreen.
Dr Weller ackowledges that people who live in sunnier climates have more skin cancer, because solar radiation mutates DNA and generates free radicals that may cause cancers to develop.
But, he argues, we have no proof that sunlight shortens life.
'In fact, the epidemiology suggests that overall, people who have more sunlight tend to live longer, even though their population gets more skin cancer.'
Dr Weller is supported by Martin Feelisch, the professor of experimental medicine at Southampton University who has also been studying sunshine's role in keeping us healthy — in particular the effect of sunlight-stimulated nitric oxide to protect our cardiovascular systems by lowering blood pressure.
Professor Feelisch warns that avoiding sunlight or using sunblock constantly could be a new risk factor for heart disease — and more people die from heart disease than skin cancer. 'We believe current public health advice, which is dominated by concerns of skin cancer, needs to be carefully reassessed,' he argues. 'It's time to look at the balance of risk for skin cancer and cardiovascular disease.'
He does not recommend, however, that we spend hours sunbathing.
Meanwhile, Dr Lindqvist, the author of the new Swedish study, says: 'We know in our population, there are three big lifestyle factors [that endanger health]: smoking, being overweight, and inactivity.
'Now we know there is a fourth — avoiding sun exposure.'
We should also be more sparing in our use of sunscreen as it may block the benefits of sunshine, Dr Lindqvist says. 'If you're using it to be out longer in the sun, you're using it in the wrong manner.
However, if you are stuck on a boat and have to be out, it's probably better to have sunscreen than not to have it.'
Thanks to our new scientific appreciation of sun, the balance does seem to need redressing towards enjoying it in healthy moderation.
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This article is more than 1 year old
Moto says hello to disappointment with Q2 warning
End of Zandr line cheers gloomy investors
Motorola is forecasting another dreary quarter, citing poor sales in Asia and Europe for its lower-than-expected outlook.
Meanwhile, Motorola shares have risen almost 3 per cent on speculation that CEO Ed Zander may be ousted under the heat of a new campaign by an activist investor.
The company's profit warning today declared it now expects second quarter sales between $8.6bn to $8.7bn. The company had previously forecast sales would be flat with Q1 '07 results of $9.4bn. The company has also changed its outlook on the mobile market from the first quarter, and no longer expects the business to be profitable for the full year 2007.
This week, Motorola investor Eric Jackson published a statement entitled "Motorola Plan B" that called for Zander's head.
"What has been Ed Zander's mark on Motorola?" Jackson asked in his statement. "He came with a Silicon Valley background, but how has that experience or those past ties translated into tangible results for the Schaumburg, IL-based Motorola?
"What has he brought to Motorola that is really unique in the last 3 1/2 years? If it's difficult to answer that question, we find it hard to image what he'll bring moving forward, which is why we suggest a change is needed now."
Jackson had previously stirred up dissatisfied stockholders at Yahoo! by asking then-CEO Terry Semel to apologize to shareholders during the company's annual meeting. Semel was replaced one week later.
This year, Motorola has replaced its CFO and acquired an operations chief to help with company restructuring. The company slashed 3,500 jobs in January, followed by an additional 4,000 layoffs in May.
In addition to the forecast, Motorola announced that Stu Reed, head of integrated supply chain operations, would become the company's new executive VP of mobile devices. Reed takes the job vacated by Ron Garriques, who left the company in February to become an executive at Dell. ®


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The section for the Christmas season is, naturally, the largest. Today I took one of the recipes and changed it a bit, eliminating some of the spices, adding almond extract, and using cherry jam and cherries as a filling. One of the biggest chaanges was coiling the ropes of filled dough instead of braiding them. With the rainy weather we have been having, the snails are out in force in the garden, so this bread shape was an easy one to think of. Since the bread rises in the center higher thanat the sides, it also looks a bit like a bee hive.
I'm going to send this over to Susas at Wild Yeast for her Yeastspotting event...this week devoted to Holiday breads. Do visit her site to see fabulous breads!
Sourdough Cherry Almond Coil
¾ cup warm water (not over 110 degrees F)
½ cup sourdough starter
4 – 4 ½ cups flour (I used bread flour)
1 stick butter at room temperature
½ cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon almond extract
½ teaspoon lemon peel
2/3 cup sliced almonds
about ½ cup cherry preserves
about ¼ cup prepared sour cherries, drained
1 tablespoon milk
2 cups confectioners' sugar or to taste
Combine warm water, sourdough starter, and 2 cups flour in a large bowl. Cover and leave on counter overnight at room temperature.
The next day, in the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter, sugar and egg yolks together. Add 1 cup flour, salt, nutmeg, almond extract and lemon peel. Mix to combine. Add the sourdough mixture and mix thoroughly to combine. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead in mixer or on a lightly flour surface until smooth – about 10 minutes.
Divide dough into thirds. Roll each, one at a time, into a 14 – 16 inch rope. Use your fingers to flatten the rope about 4 inches wide. Down the center of the long oval spoon a thin line of preserves and then place the cherries down the line. Using fingers moistened with water, moisten along one long side of the oval. Pick up the opposite long side, a little at a time and fold toward the center, overlapping the filling, then, using the other hand, pull the moistened long side over that, pinching to seal. Continue down the long sides of the oval. Pinch the ends to seal. When all three ropes have been filled and sealed, beginning in the middle of a silicon mat or parchment lined large baking sheet, coil the ropes like a snail shell or coil or rope, pinching the ends together as you go and tucking the last end under the loaf.
Place a piece of parchment over the loaf, then a damp tea towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Toward the end of the hour preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Remove tea towel and parchment. Bake in preheated oven for about an hour, or until golden brown, turning the baking sheet around about half way through the hour of baking time.
Remove from oven and let cool on a rack. When cool, mix together the milk and confectioners' sugar to make a glaze or drizzle and use to glaze or decorate the loaf. Let the glaze or drizzle dry and the loaf cool completely before serving. (If you like you can decorate the glaze or drizzle with more sliced almonds.)
Makes 1 large loaf. (You could also shape the three filled ropes into a braid and continue the rest as written.)
Happy Holidays! XO Elle


text: The day of 4th July 1776 declared America free from the Great Britain and its Kings. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress adopts the "Declaration of Independence" proclaiming the independence of the United States of America! The thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and no longer under British rule. Instead, they formed a new nation—the United States of America!


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Don't you just love strawberry recipes? I could eat them each and every day!
Apart from tasting simply delicious, these red fruits have beneficial effects on your health. So if it isn't just for the enjoyment itself, you now have lots of reasons to eat them.
In addition to being low in fat and calories, they are naturally high in fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and antioxidants. Compared to fruits like apples, oranges or bananas they score highest in most of the nutrients.
You can eat strawberries fresh, frozen or dried. You can have them for dessert, in cakes, muffins, cereals, yogurts or salads. You can even drink your favorite fruits in shakes, juices or alcoholic drinks.
It's up to you! All the strawberry recipes on this site have been tested and approved by a strawberry lover (that's myself ;-) ).
This doesn't mean I have actually cooked or baked all of them, because I'm not too fond of cooking and stick to the easy recipes.
(Hey, if I can do them, anyone can!)
In our family my mom is the one who does the cooking and she really loves it. Since I'm married, all the cooking has been delegated to my husband, who is a wonderful cook and he loves doing it!
My job is the eating and testing of all the delicacies either my mom or my husband create. This is definitely an easy job, because their food is so delicious, people rave about it and everyone eats more than they should.
(By the way, my Mom gets a bit offended, if guests don't eat enough and don't praise what she cooks, so you're better off asking for a second serving.)
Usually she doesn't use recipes, because she has all the ingredients in her memory. She likes to have the freedom to change the recipes and give them a new and individual touch every time. But for this website I gently forced her to write down all the recipes in her head. The result is a collection of the world-best strawberry recipes.
Enjoy the very best Stawberry Recipes!
Marion Kummerow


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Double down on dangles with these layered wood arches and metal bar drops. Cut from hardwoods and hand painted, our wood earrings come packaged on a card in a gift box - ready for giving (or keeping).
Part of our Summer 2019 collection, which features hand-drawn natural forms and bright botanicals.
is back-ordered. We will ship it separately in 10 to 15 days.
Drop length: 1.8 in x 1 in (46 mm x 25 mm)14k gold-filled or sterling silver ear wiresGold-plated or silver-plated brass dropsMaple woodHandmade in Scituate, MA


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Today, the existence of three new Metro-style apps in the Windows 8 Release Preview was leaked by the usual web sources. This report is correct. (As a reminder, I had previously mentioned the existence of these apps in the final line of my article, Windows 8 Release Preview: Bundled Apps Update.)
The three new Metro-style apps that Microsoft is providing in this release include News, Sports, and Travel. I'll provide the usual full rundown of these and other Release Preview goodness when the time is right, but for now, suffice to say that these new apps are nothing special. They look and work exactly like the Finance app, providing what are essentially beautiful frontends to RSS feeds from trusted sources.
Here's a clean, non-watermarked look at the new app tiles.
And contrary to reports (and expectations), the "App Preview" branding is very much in existence in the Release Preview:


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Weekly review: Week ending Nov 2, 2008
| weeklyThis week was half travel, half catching up. I flew to Tel Aviv for a customer workshop at which I facilitated a session about mobile social networking. When I got back, I worked on my Drupal-based project, ironing out a few bugs and playing defect tennis. I processed lots of requests quickly.
I was going to do the paperwork for the Schengen visa so that I could help with another customer workshop in Brussels. I was nervous about the time and I didn't want to cancel my participation at the last minute, as I know from first-hand experience that it can be pretty difficult for people taking up the sudden slack. So I recommended a number of people in Europe to the workshop organizers, and I hope they find a good fit.
During this mad two-week stint of travel, I realized a couple of things:
- Consulting is a scary thing. ;) You're always wondering if the client will feel that you've provided enough value. Programming or making things seems a little more clear-cut in that respect.
- I love connecting the dots, and I seem to have passed some threshold that makes the network effects scale well. Because people know I like connecting the dots, they tell me about what they can offer and what they're looking for.
- A few days of working at home helps me settle down and relax after unusual stints of overtime. Otherwise, things feel pretty raw.
I finished the red jacket I was working on, and I've also completed a purple skirt. I'm very happy with the way the red jacket turned out, and the notions I picked up during Fabricland's sale have helped me me save time and make my purple skirt neater. My next project (already halfway done) is a black skirt following the same pattern as the purple skirt. After that, I'll probably make two reversible four-color shells to make business-trip packing even easier.
I'd been thinking about the personality differences between people who start things and people who finish things. I'm very much a starter. I can see the possibilities of starting things, I'm good at figuring out who I need to talk to in order to make something happen, and I can be excited and get other people excited too. On the other hand, after a while, I can lose interest and move on to other things, which is probably why my Emacs book is languishing in the doldrums.
That's one of the reasons why sewing interests me. Small, quick projects that give me tangible results when I finish them… Maybe this a good way to develop more persistence and attention to detail. =)
Next week, I'll be focusing on the Drupal-based project. We're coming up on our second release date, and I think we're in pretty good shape despite all my travel. I also need to get the details ironed out for my talk in Concordia University: the student's guide to Web 2.0 at work, and for an upcoming panel on government, Web 2.0 and youth. On Thursday, SelectMinds has a virtual corporate social networking conference. I'm looking forward to attending the session on onboarding with social networking tools (1:45 ET – 2:45 ET). We'll be recording videos of our other presentations on Thursday, so I might not be able to make it to the rest of the interesting sessions. It'll be a very busy week, but I hope to make time to get my permanent residency application together and to follow up on the interesting conversations I had over the past two weeks.


text: Sermons Watch Sermons YouTube Channel Loading Content... Share a Link to this Message The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it. Close - Browse Series - ------------- View Series Archives View All Messages ------------- Through the Eyes of Shepards and Angles Easter 2023 Romans, Gospel Fluency-The Heart of the Gospel Through The Eyes of Mary Unchained Leader Guest Speaker John's Gospel: Book of Signs Proverbs Ruth Easter 2022 Good Friday 2022 Palm Sunday 2022 Christian Commitments James: Putting Feet to Our Faith Advent through the Eyes of John Gratefulness In An Ungrateful World Work That Lasts Living By the Spirit Heart of the Father: God of Love or God of Hate? Christ's Church B.L.E.S.S. Pentecost Bless to Be a Blessing Alpha Sunday Easter 2021 Palm Sunday 2021 Advent - Through the Eyes of Luke How to Live Guilt-Free With God A Reasonable Gift to a Resurrecting Giver Christ is Better Called Philip and the Ethiopian Imagine! God's Life for You Restoring Community Hope! Easter 2020 Good Friday 2020 Palm Sunday 2020 Thrive in Christ! Lost and Found Gather! Not Hidden From You Two Views of the Harvest Remember 2019 Advent - Through the Eyes of Isaiah Learning to Practice Resurrection Joy Christian Leaders Esther Ezra & Nehemiah The Bright Morning Star Kings & Kingdoms Easter 2019 Palm Sunday 2019 James - Patience in Suffering Missions March Explore God Christmas Unwrapped Orphan Sunday Abraham and the God of Steadfast Love 1 Samuel 4-6 Pentecost 2018 Easter 2018 Palm Sunday 2018 A Place to Gather The Gospel According to Mark New Year's 2018 Advent 2017 Remembering the Reformation Generous God - Browse Speakers - Adam Cabot Ashwill Barry Beitzel Calvin Dinkins Lee Eclov Rod Elliott Terry Erickson Don Erickson Brett Gleason Bob Hughes David Jones Mitch Kirchmeyer Arthur Kok Kevin Kompelien Kevin MacLean Hans Madueme Chris McBride Scott McInnis Greg Norwine Dan Olson Sandeep (Scoty) Pasupuleti Mike Ploeger Jon Rand Matt Solie Norell Taylor Brad Thomas Matt Till Richard Trca Mike Urton Paul W Jon Weyerhaeuser - Browse Topics - Advent Apologetics Baptism Christian Living Christ's Return Church Communion Crucifixion Epiphany Evangelism Generosity Holy Spirit Justice Kings & Kingdoms Leadership Life after Death Life's Purpose Marriage Missions Our Church Patience Pentecost Prayer Prophets Race & Reconciliation Resurrection Spiritual Beings Spiritual Gifts Suffering Taxes Testimonies The Gospel The Temple Triumphal Entry Wealth Work - Browse Books - Genesis Exodus Deuteronomy Judges 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Isaiah Micah Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Hebrews James 1 Peter 1 John Revelation Mike Urton - September 18, 2022 Our Secure Hope Watch More Messages from Mike Urton From Series: "Guest Speaker" Facebook Tweet Link Share Link Send Email More Messages God's Plan Cabot Ashwill - April 2, 2023 Watch Following the Footsteps of Faith Cabot Ashwill - March 26, 2023 Watch God's Grace Cabot Ashwill - March 19, 2023 Watch Displaying 49-51 of 334« Back 1…12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 …87More » Powered by Series Engine


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We like spending time with people who delight in the same things that fascinate us. That might be playing bagpipes, reenacting history, making homemade cheese, or white water rafting. Who doesn't love sharing a favorite topic? It's certainly easy to build friendships that way. Shared interests also foster greater enthusiasm and motivate us to expand our knowledge. That's why interest-based groups make so much sense for our kids.
In my family, interest-based groups have been an important part of homeschooling life. We formed a number of these groups over the years. Some, like a history club made up of eager parents and not-so-eager young children, barely lasted long enough for a few meetings. Others have lasted ten years.
Our Science Club
The most successful has been our boy's science club. It was started by five families with nine boys between the ages of seven and eleven. When we began it was highly structured. We met regularly at each other's homes. Parents took turns planning a project or experiment, got the materials, explained the educational principles underlying the activity, and if things didn't turn out as planned (actually quite frequently) it was usually a parent who searched for answers.
As time went by, more and more control over the science club was naturally taken over by the boys. They planned what they wanted to do and figured out what they'd need in order to do it. They decided whose house was best for that activity and when the day came, together they carried out the project or experiment, often improvising with different approaches. If things didn't turn out they searched for their own answers. Although nearby, parents didn't hover to assure safety nor insist that they officially learn the principles behind each activity.
Our boys remained safe, happy, and increasingly savvy about many branches of science while running their own science club. Their projects included various propulsion systems designed to shoot tennis balls, a 12 foot high trebuchet, and a hovercraft which managed to get off the ground but not (as they'd planned) with a passenger. Over the years one family moved away and another was welcomed to the club. The older boys have gone on to college, several into the sciences, one to Harvard graduate school on a full scholarship. Since they shared the honorary title of Science Club President over the years, it probably didn't hurt to put that on the college application.
Making Interest-Based Groups Successful
There are some lessons we've learned that can help make any interest-based group successful.
1. Build on what your children love to do. If they adore taking hikes it's easy to expand on that. Depending on what your children and others who join decide, the group may expand to bird watching, letterboxing, geocaching, nature sketching, Volksmarching, any number of related activities. Or they may choose to stick to the simple pleasure of hiking. Your children may not be hikers, but prefer fashioning swords from household objects to joust with their siblings. There are plenty of ways to expand on those interests as well. Consider forming a special-interest group to enjoy fencing, foam fighting, Society for Creative Anachronism, writing and enacting scenes from the times of knights or high seas pirates, or live action role-playing games. Just about any interest can spark friendship and learning in a group of children.
2. Consider factors such as age range, group size, and location before starting a group. What factors are likely to contribute to interesting, enriching and fun experiences? How far are you willing to travel? Flexibility is important. For example if your daughter is eager to start up a journaling group for girls ages 11 to 13, you might consider forming a group for younger siblings who can meet at the same time for their own interest-based group.
3. Invite potential members. Some interest-based groups develop out of casual get-togethers between friends. Some are formed as sub-groups within larger organizations such as block clubs, churches, or homeschool support groups. And others are the result of invitations spread on forums, lists, library bulletin boards, and across homeschool networks. How do you want to form the group?
4. Get started. For older kids, you may want to hold an informal organizing get-together at the local park, library meeting room, or your backyard. Gather ideas from the kids in attendance by encouraging them to brainstorm what they'd like to do and how often they'd like to do it. Toss out questions to keep the ideas flowing and write down their suggestions. If they're teens, let them run this meeting on their own as much as possible. This first get-together is also the easiest time to get some guidelines established. Consider questions such as: Do you want to be open to new members once you're established? Do you prefer to agree to some basic rules or accommodate as the need arises? How will responsibility for group activities be shared?
Or simply launch into the first session instead of holding an organizing meeting. After making apple butter and dipping candles with your new heritage club, or enjoying an afternoon making puppets and putting on an impromptu puppet show with new theater club members, they'll understand what group sessions entail. Their suggestions for activities, group name, and potential rules will more easily flow from that initial encounter.
5. Once your get-togethers begin, make sure that unstructured time is included. Build in ample time for kids to spend together after the activities are over. Friendships are a strong factor in motivating kids to stick with special interest groups. Whenever possible, be open to the inevitable plans your children concoct with friends in these groups. It's a powerful acknowledgement of one's worth to spend time with friends who are equally crazy about model trains, skateboarding, manga, horses, or cake decorating.
6. Recognize that the group will grow and evolve. It's important to be open to changes. Get-togethers between friends often naturally drift toward other activities as interests change. More formal groups tend to continue on long after the originators have moved on. An interest-based group your children start may last only a short time, but it still provides learning as well as enjoyable experiences. Some families launch quite a few such groups as their children grow up. You may be doing the same thing without recognizing that toddler playgroups and older children's regular enrichment activities function just as interest-based groups do.
Examples of successful interest-based groups
~A cooking club for preteen girls meets at members' homes to make (and eat) themed foods and plan recipes for next club event. They've made various ethnic meals, fancy desserts and food to donate.
~A multi-age group of stop motion movie-makers (youngest member five years old). They chat online about individual projects and also make collaborative movies. They have hosting screenings of their short films for an appreciative audience of relatives.
~A nature sketching and journaling group made up of families who schedule hikes in different wilderness areas to write, draw, and share their work.
~A boys' book group based on sci-fi and adventure books. They vote on which book to read, read it the month before the meeting, then after the book discussion take part in activities such as scavenger hunts, making costumes and re-enacting scenes, testing tactics used in the book, or using repurposed materials to build something mentioned in the book.
~A multi-age rock climbing group which practices at indoor climbing walls as well as outdoor locations.
~A young children's hands-on science club.
~A youth and adult fiber works group with projects, farm trips and visits to other spinning/weaving guilds.
~A group of families who get together to make costumes, chain mail and armor for re-enactments.
~A beachcombers group. Young children play along the waterside while adults and older children monitor ecological conditions for a non-profit organization.
~A debate and elocution society which prepares for regular memory-based recitations as well as occasional debating society competitions. The members' aspirations include acting, politics, and law.
~A cartoonists' meeting. Young members work on graphic novels, cartoon strips, and cards.
~A multi-age sculptor's group. They meet to hear guest speakers which have included welders and mineralogists. They go on field trips and occasionally meet at one another's homes to work on projects together.
You may find, as my family has, that interest-based groups are a favorite activity with extraordinary benefits. You may even notice that your child's eagerness rekindles interests of your own. Maybe it's time to enjoy the fellowship of other enthusiasts as you master the bagpipes or learn to make cheese.
Portions of this post were excerpted from Free Range Learning (affiliate link).


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Baltimore Ravens' Matt Birk Stays Centered on Christ
As he prepares for Sunday's Super Bowl in New Orleans, the 2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year upholds life, marriage and children.
Before the Baltimore Ravens take to the field against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, veteran center Matt Birk will continue to encourage his team to stay focused on the game. Many distractions will be present, so concentration will be a must in order to play well.
Earlier in his career, Birk let distractions get the best of him, not in a professional sense, but in a spiritual one. The 36-year-old St. Paul, Minn., native was dedicated to football, but it was to the exclusion of what matters most in life: his relationship with Jesus Christ.
Birk's future wife, Adrianna, set a loving example that helped to bring about a change in his heart. Now, the father of six is focused on Christ before all else. Public defense of the right to life and the institution of marriage radiate from Birk's renewed relationship with his Savior.
In the days leading up to the Super Bowl, Birk, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, spoke to Register correspondent Trent Beattie.
The Ravens were not favored against the Denver Broncos or the New England Patriots, but defeated them both in the playoffs. Are you surprised at making the Super Bowl?
I'm actually not surprised. Every team in the league would like to play in the Super Bowl, and that includes us. It's a lofty goal, and it's a tough journey to get here, but we've worked hard to achieve just that. I can't say we were certain we'd be here, but we certainly wanted to be here, so it didn't take me by surprise.
Now, we have to stay focused on the game and not let all the distractions get to us. My motto is: "Be in the moment." In other words, concentrate on the task at hand. Don't waste time thinking about things that are irrelevant to getting the job done. That's a real challenge in a Super Bowl because there are plenty of distractions.
Are people often surprised to learn that someone who plays in the NFL attended Harvard University?
Yes, it catches them off guard. Harvard isn't exactly a school that produces a lot of players for the NFL, so people have to adjust their thinking when they encounter me. They're used to believing that Ivy League schools are incompatible with professional football.
I've always had a lot of interests outside of football. One of my coaches from years ago even called me "The Renaissance Man" because of my varied activities. I've enjoyed other sports like baseball and basketball, along with academics (especially economics, my major), student government, volunteering and even drama. You'll find varied interests with other NFL players, too. We don't fixate on football 24/7.
Did you come from a devout family?
Yes, my parents both took the faith seriously. My father even considered becoming a priest before deciding to marry my mother. Being Catholic meant a lot to them, and they passed that along to their children. In my 18 years at home, I never missed Sunday Mass.
Once I left for Harvard, however, that changed. I got caught up in worldly things. There was a false independence that took hold of me, and I thought of myself as too sophisticated for religion. Because I believed there were more important things for me to do, my participation in the Church declined sharply.
My mindset got even worse when I started playing in the NFL. I bought into all the hype, thinking I was doing the most important thing in the world as a professional athlete. That attitude changed when I met the woman I would later marry. She was a devout Catholic, and she helped me to see what I was missing out on by separating myself from the Church. Thanks to my wife and then others who followed, I now realize the importance of practicing the faith. That's what life is all about.
You've been active in the pro-life movement. What would you say to someone discouraged about the more than 50 million boys and girls killed in abortions during 40 years under Roe v. Wade?
The big picture is really ugly, but instead of letting that dominate your thinking, I would say to keep the faith and concentrate on the one or two things you can do. You may not be able to save thousands of lives on your own, but the one life you can save today does mean a lot.
Whether it's teaching our own children to be pro-life, contacting our elected representatives or working at crisis-pregnancy centers, we can all do something. These examples are in addition to prayer, which everyone can do and which everyone should do. Prayer is the basis of any good action. Each little effort helps to bring about a culture of life, a culture in which children are appreciated rather than disposed of.
I spoke at a pro-life rally in Maryland a couple years ago, and it was a life-changing experience. I heard other speakers, including women who deeply regretted their own abortions. Their work, carried out through the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, was very persuasive. It wasn't just a theoretical discussion; it was real women who had experienced the trauma of losing a child through abortion. They wanted to prevent other women from going through that same thing.
If people were told the truth about abortion, no one would ever seek out the procedure. We hear about "choice" and "reproductive rights," but no one is ever told by an abortionist, "I will kill your baby by ripping off its arms and legs." The women from Silent No More let people know the facts so that better decisions will be made. It's very admirable work.
You're the father of six. With each new child, do you find you appreciate the gift of life more?
No question about it. When I held my first child for the first time, I had such a love and concern for her that I just can't put into words. Parents know what I'm talking about. You just can't express how awesome it is to be entrusted with a tiny child who has been created in the image and likeness of God. It really changes your perspective on life. It makes you think about what really matters.
With each new child, your ability to love grows. It's not a matter of dividing your love among more children, so that each one gets less of it, but you actually have more to give with each new delivery. Children help you to stop thinking of yourself and expand your horizons. This is a joyful challenge. It's more difficult than football or any other job, but also more rewarding.
I also enjoy helping at-risk children through my HIKE Foundation. "HIKE" stands for "Hope, Inspiration, Knowledge and Education." The foundation's purpose is to provide educational opportunities for children who wouldn't otherwise have them. Our two signature programs encourage children to read, especially at home. We want them to know that reading is not just a task for school, but something that can expand their outlook on life and lead to great opportunities for them.
You've also been publicly supporting the institution of marriage. What are some misconceptions that people have regarding marriage?
The major misconception is that marriage is anything you want it to be, rather than the lifelong union of a man and a woman for the purpose of raising children. That's what it has been for all of recorded history and what it continues to be today, regardless of what some people think.
There has been an intense attack on marriage for decades. It has become easier to get divorced, which means the breakup of the closest relationships: those involving spouses and children. This is devastating for the family, especially children, who need a father and a mother. When the marriage is torn apart, each child can feel like he or she is being torn apart.
After all these years of easy divorce, many people have given up on marriage completely. They just live together without any commitment. Needless to say, this isn't the best of situations for them or for the children who might be involved. What's needed is not a flight from responsibility, but a firmer commitment to it.
One of the things I've learned from the Catholic faith that applies to marriage, football and any other aspect of life is to appreciate discipline. On the surface, self-indulgence appears best for us, but that route only weakens us and leaves us unhappy. Self-denial appears to be worst for us, but that route strengthens us and makes us truly content.
Jesus said if anyone would be his follower he or she must deny his or herself, take up his or her cross and follow him. The way of the cross is the only way to be a true Christian, and it's really the only way to get anything worthwhile done. It helps you to become the best version of yourself, to use a term from Catholic author and speaker Matthew Kelly.
In order for us to be the best versions of ourselves, we do not need to reinvent marriage, but to recommit ourselves to it. We need to look at it, not with our own agendas in mind, but with God's plan in mind. He created us, so he knows what is best for us.
Do you have a favorite Catholic book?
One of my favorites is Made for More by Curtis Martin, the founder of Focus (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). A friend gave me a copy of the book, and I liked it so much that I bought dozens more copies to give out to others. It's a simple and eloquent work that is especially helpful for convincing young people that happiness is found not in material things, but in God.
I also read In Conversation With God by Father Francis Fernandez every day. It's a yearlong series of meditations based on the daily readings at Mass. Great saints are quoted, and wonderful insights are provided.
Do you have a favorite saint?
St. Thomas More was the patron I chose for confirmation over two decades ago. He was a great choice then, but even more so now. We need to be reminded of courageous people like him. [Regarding such people]: They wouldn't allow others to force their immoral beliefs on them. They had their priorities straight and were willing to give up everything for the sake of the truth.
He remained faithful to the truth that marriage is indissoluble. He knew that truth endures, and it takes precedence over political expediency. We need to have the same outlook and act upon it. The world needs that witness now more than ever.
Register correspondent Trent Beattie writes from Seattle.


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Recommended for outside sport and lifestyle application including Driving, Watersports, Skate, basketball, tennis, golf, biking, driving, volleyball and more! Includes: Oakley Hard Zipper Vault, Oakley black soft micro fiber cleaning cloth Bag/case, paperwork in Oakley box! The item "NEW Oakley RADAR EV PATH White Sky Blue Sapphire PRIZM lens Sunglass 9208-57" is in sale since Thursday, January 9, 2020. This item is in the category "Clothing, Shoes & Accessories\Men\Men's Accessories\Sunglasses & Sunglasses Accessories\Sunglasses".The seller is "sunglass-one" and is located in Temecula, California. This item can be shipped to United States, all countries in Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Hong Kong, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Dominican republic, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, El salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Montserrat, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, French guiana, Guadeloupe, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Sri lanka, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Viet nam, Uruguay.


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The biggest change in NFL coverage over the last decade has nothing to do with the games. Football has turned into a year-round sport because of the increased attention on the silly season: scouting combine, free agency, draft and OTAs/minicamps.
There were always daily newspaper articles during the offseason. But after I read those every morning, the news was usually over for the day. That has changed dramatically since everyone realized there was great interest (and money) at stake in keeping fans informed all day, every day. Even in May.
That changes over the next month. The NFL is not a quiet 12-month-a-year sport because of the next four weeks. NFL Network won't go dark before training camp, but we have officially started our one truly quiet time of the year. (Fingers crossed.) Coaches will re-introduce themselves to their children, and writers will take vacations before it's too late. In the meantime, there are still some hanging stories that deserve monitoring.
Here are seven things to keep an eye on over this next month before training camp starts:
1. Potential suspensions for big names
There are always a few potential suspensions this time of year, but it's rare that there are so many impact players facing uncertain futures. Let's break it down:
Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens: Just two years removed from a big contract extension, Rice faces big questions on and off the field. Rice and his wife met with Commissioner Roger Goodell last week after Rice's assault arrest from February. Rice is coming off a season during which he looked much older than his 27 years. A suspension could arrive any day; Bernard Pierce is likely to start at running back while Rice is out.
Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns: We first learned during the NFL draft that Gordon is facing a potential lengthy suspension. Gordon was suspended two games and fined four game checks by the NFL for violating the league's substance-abuse policy last year.
We've heard dramatically varying estimates on how long Gordon could be suspended. The process has clearly not moved along quickly. The length of Gordon's suspension will re-shape the Browns' season, and they could get their answer before training camp.
Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers: The pass rusher will be sentenced on July 25 in Santa Clara County Superior Court after pleading no contest last month to felony weapons charges, in addition to a drunk driving charge. It's unlikely that Smith will hear from the NFL on a suspension before then, and it's possible he could face jail time. It would be a big surprise if Smith was not suspended for a big chunk of the 2014 season, if not the whole thing.
Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers: The defensive end's trial for two misdemeanor assault charges is set for July 15. A suspension could follow if Hardy is found guilty.
Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills: The Bills defensive lineman faces felony possession charges and was arrested separately for drag racing and property damage.
2. Jim Irsay's potential suspension
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The Indianapolis Colts owner was charged with two misdemeanors in connection with a March traffic stop that led to his arrest on suspicion of intoxicated driving. Irsay has a pre-trial hearing on July 28 and is facing an Aug. 28 trial date. It's unclear if the league will wait for the legal process to finish before handing down any suspension.
The NFL said in May that they are "reviewing the matter and will take appropriate action in accordance with the (NFL's Personal Conduct Policy)."
3. Jermichael Finley seeks clearance
The longtime Green Bay Packers tight end is the most intriguing name available on the free-agent market. But he hasn't been able to get clearance from any NFL team despite some positive reports from an independent doctor.
The Packers sound open to bringing Finley back, but this is a medical decision. Finley could either retire or become a huge X-factor in the 2014 playoff race.
4. Alex Smith, Andy Dalton seek new contracts
Smith's hanging contract situation is one of the reasons that the Chiefs cut Brandon Flowers last week. (Flowers signed with San Diego on Tuesday.) The Chiefs need extra salary-cap space to extend veterans like Smith who they value more. Smith and Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton are in similar situations as mid-tier starting quarterbacks. They must balance their desire to max out their contracts with the uncertainty of playing out their contract year without a new deal.
The agents for both players should be motivated to get a max deal done. You can make statistical arguments for Smith and Dalton that they deserve something close to Jay Cutler's contract ($18 million per year), but they don't inspire the same league-wide respect. (And they should totally ignore whatever kind of money Cam Newton signs for if he gets a new deal this offseason.)
Based on NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport's reporting and public comments by team officials, it sounds like Dalton is closer to a contract than Smith. Both quarterbacks should realize that they are in ideal situations, supported by quality teams that believe in them. We don't think Dalton or Smith would approach $18 million per season on the open market; their shortcomings would cost them money.
Andy Reid's system in Kansas City is perfect for Smith. Dalton is supported by a great defense and A.J. Green. If both players "bet on themselves" by playing out this year, they could find their market value dip dramatically by next offseason.
5. Resolving potential holdouts
Smith isn't the only contract that the Chiefs have to worry about. Outside linebacker Justin Houston skipped mandatory minicamp this month, looking for a new deal. He's among the most likely veterans to get a new contract before training camp. Vernon Davis and Alex Boone of the San Francisco 49ers are also seeking new deals; we give Boone a better shot of securing more money.
Marshawn Lynch potentially could get a bump in pay, but he doesn't look like a threat to skip training camp. The Dallas Cowboys would love for Kyle Orton to show up for work, but it sounds like the backup quarterback is leaning toward retirement.
Star Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson is the toughest holdout to consider. He's getting paid plenty, but isn't happy with the direction of the team. He's been talking with new coach Bill O'Brien. Johnson truly has little recourse to affect change; his contract makes him almost untradeable. We'd expect Johnson to show up to training camp after potentially skipping some time, because what veterans truly like two-a-day practices?
6. Paying Jimmy Graham
An arbitrator should decide this week whether Jimmy Graham should be classified as a tight end or wide receiver under the franchise tag. That decision will provide leverage for the winning side, but we don't expect Graham to play under a one-year contract either way. Look for the Saints and Graham's agent to come to a long-term contract, and that deal probably will pay him closer to wideout money.
It would be a small upset if they completed a deal before training camp, but not a huge shock.
7. Surprise surgeries
Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey underwent hip surgery on Monday, a procedure that could keep him out for much of the regular season. We also learned about surgery for Dolphins running back Knowshon Moreno the same day.
Players never want to go under the knife, but June and July surgeries are particularly troublesome. They are usually for injuries either suffered in non-contact practice or for injuries that teams hoped would heal naturally. A few pop up every year.
Perhaps the next month won't be so quiet after all.
In the latest episode of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys discuss Rob Gronkowski's expected return to action and Cordarrelle Patterson's potential rise this season.


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BlueOptics QSFP Transceiver 1310nm 40GBASE-LR4 10KM
- In Stock
Shipping weight: | 0,05 kg |
Item weight: | 0,04 kg |
Wavelength-TX: | CWDM |
Medium: | Single-mode |
Connector: | LC Duplex |
Original-Vendor: | BlueOptics |
Speed: | 40G |
Reach: | 10 Kilometer |
Main-Application: | 40GBASE-LR4 |
Formfactor: | QSFP |
Wavelength-RX: | CWDM |
MSA-Standard: | QSFP Transceiver |
Temperature Range: | 0°C to +70°C |
BlueOptics 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP Transceiver for Single-mode data transmissions with 40G in optical fiber networks. Supports Ethernet, Fibre Channel or SONET/SDH applications in switches, routers, storage systems and other related hardware. BlueOptics 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP Transceivers will be delivered with Digital Monitoring (DDM / DOM) function (for detailed information on the power supply, the laser bias current, laser output power, the laser input power and temperature) and can have different temperature ranges.
Each 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP transceiver we offer is guaranteed factory new and tested before shipment, regarding quality and functionality. gbic-shop.de exclusively offers the high quality 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP transceivers from the BlueOptics brand, because these products, meet or even surpass high requirements in terms of technical characteristics and operational function.
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All reviews:


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4225.0 - Graduate Outcomes, Technical and Further Education, Australia, 1995
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 18/12/1995
Page tools: Print Page Print All | ||
Contains a series of tables and graphs with accompanying commentary in relation to 1994 Technical and Further Education graduates. Items included are earnings, fields of study, employment, sex, age, State/Territory, employment flows, occupation, industry, reasons for undertaking TAFE courses, further study intentions and qualification. NOTE: This is a joint publication of the Australian Committee on Vocational Education and Training (ACVETS) and the ABS. Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window. |


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One million Feedly users rely on Feedly Mini to quickly add new sources to their feeds and save essential articles to their boards.
Saving insightful articles to your boards allows you to share and shine with your team and train Feedly AI. The more articles you save to a board, the greater the accuracy of Feedly AI's like board priorities.
We are excited to announce a new version of the Feedly Mini Chrome browser extension that makes following sources and saving articles even easier.
Saving an article to one of your Feedly Boards
One of the popular feature requests for Feedly Mini was the ability to add a note to the article being saved to a board.
In version 5, if you have access to the annotation features, you will be able to add a note to the article you are saving to your boards.
If you are part of Feedly Teams and have connected Feedly Teams with Slack, you will be able to mention a teammate or a Slack channel directly in Feedly mini and quickly notify your teammates.
Following a new source
We are also bringing the power of our new discovery experience to Feedly Mini v5.
Let's imagine that you are browsing the Web and you discovered a new source you want to follow in Feedly.
When you click on the Feedly Mini icon, Feedly Mini will automatically discover the RSS feed for the page you are reading and show you a popup with information about that source.
You can click on Follow in Feedly to preview the RSS in Feedly and add it to one of your feeds.
You can also click on Explore to tap into the collective wisdom of the Feedly community and determine what are the sources that user often co-read with the source you are looking at.
No more having to look at the source page to find an RSS URL and manually searching for that URL to be able to add it to one of your feeds.
This is the first step for us to bring some of the work we are doing with Feedly AI and discovery to Feedly Mini. Let us know what you think by joining the Feedly Lab Slack community and expect to see more in the next three to six months as Feedly AI matures.


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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - It's no secret that the new starters on Atlanta's offensive line, especially right tackle Lamar Holmes, will get a lot of attention from the Saints in Sunday's opening game.
The new-look line must adjust to the departures of center Todd McClure, who retired, and right tackle Tyson Clabo, who was not re-signed. Holmes, who has played in only one game, was rushed into the starting unit when Mike Johnson dislocated his left ankle and broke his left leg this summer.
The Falcons have only two linemen in the same starting positions as last season, and that's the sort of development that doesn't slip past opposing teams.
Of course we noticed that,'' said New Orleans outside linebacker Junior Galette.
It's on film. ... Obviously they let Clabo go. That right side of the line, we want to do our best to take advantage of that line that we can, but who's to say the next man up is not better than the guys that were out there before?
``We haven't really seen so much of them. We've got to test it out, basically.''
Peter Konz, a part-time starter at right guard last season, has moved to center. The only starters at the same spots as last year are left tackle Sam Baker and left guard Justin Blalock.
Holmes and Konz were 2012 draft picks.
Blalock, beginning his seventh season, suddenly has the most tenure of the unit.
It was a quick transition,'' Blalock said with a smile following Friday's practice.
I went from being in the middle of the pack to the old guy.''
Blalock and Baker must provide stability on the left side of the line while the other starters gain confidence.
At stake is the success of an offense stacked with big-play talent. The health of quarterback Matt Ryan, who signed a contract extension worth nearly $104 million at the start of training camp, also is riding on the play of the line.
Ryan was sacked five times by Tennessee in the third week of the preseason, the game regarded as the dress rehearsal for the regular season. The Falcons were 0-4 in the preseason.
Obviously, we've got some younger guys coming in to play for us with two veterans being gone,'' Ryan said Wednesday.
But the guys have done a great job in camp. There's been some ups, been some downs. We've got a lot to learn from. But I expect the guys to go out there and play really well for us on Sunday.''
Blalock said the makeover of the line ``has gone pretty well so far.''
Obviously there have been some growing pains, and that's to be expected when you have turnover in your group,'' Blalock said.
There's a lot to be optimistic about with some things we have been able to do.''
The Falcons signed veteran tackle Jeremy Trueblood this week. Trueblood joins undrafted rookie Ryan Schraeder as the backups at tackle. Joe Hawley is the top reserve at the interior line spots.
The move by Konz from guard to center was expected when he was drafted in the second round from Wisconsin. Konz was regarded as a center in the 2012 draft and he practiced at guard and center as a rookie.
I think he's done extremely well,'' Blalock said of Konz.
Obviously, it's a position he's familiar with, playing it in college. I'm not saying it's an easy transition but even last year in practice he worked a lot there as well.''
Konz said he's glad he won't be playing his first game in the Superdome.
Since training camp I have felt very comfortable,'' Konz said.
The communication has been good. The transition has been good and then going out and working hard has given me a lot of confidence.
``As far as this Sunday, having played there before and playing the Saints twice gives me a lot of confidence because I know how the Dome is going to be. It's not going to be totally new for me.''
The spotlight will be on Holmes, whose progress was slowed last year when he missed training camp with a foot injury.
The good news for Atlanta is Johnson's injury came early in camp. Holmes has had a full month with the first-team line.
``You never want somebody to go down, but when somebody steps in, it was fortunate for Lamar to get as many reps as he has with the first team,'' Konz said.
NOTES: WR Roddy White (sprained left ankle), linebacker Stephen Nicholas (thigh) and cornerback Asante Samuel (right thigh) were listed as questionable on the Friday injury report. Each had limited participation in Friday's light practice. White promised on Thursday that he will play.
AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org


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ReplayTV Replacement FAQ
Digital Networks North America declared bankruptcy on 2015-07-20. Their guide service probably will never return. You have two solutions to keep using your ReplayTV device.
Contents |
Using the PercData/LaHo server to provide Guide Data
Some community members have gotten together to offer a simple replacement ReplayTV guide service. (code name "LAst HOpe RNS" (LaHo)).
The LaHo service is provided by Perc Data. You can sign up at Percdata.com.
The cost for the Perc/LaHo service (6-month term) is $21 first ReplayTV, $7 for additional units.
PERC/LaHo do not offer support for dial-up devices.
Using WiRNS to provide Guide Data
WiRNS is a free (as in beer) application that can feed guide data to ReplayTV devices and offers other features. WiRNS can obtain data from any XMLTV source or Schedules Direct. ($25/year for Schedules Direct)
With WiRNS 3.0, all ReplayTV units work fine without Replay's server.
The complexity of a WiRNS solution varies with your ReplayTV unit and configuration. It involves setting up a WiRNS server on a local Windows machine.
Setting the clock on 2k/3k/Showstoppers =
There is a hack available here to add a time set page to your Replay. Doing so involves removing the hard disk and adding programs using a PC.
Once connected to a network (see dialup section), 2k/3k units can also use NTP to set the time. WiRNS can provide the NTP proxy functionality.
Setting the clock on Network Attached 4k/5k Units =
You can set your clock using WiRNS 3.0 or Perc/Laho. Perc/Laho supports setting your clock without signing up for a PERC Data account. (just point your ReplayTV there)
What about Dialup Users
A solution exists where a PC (physical or virtual) is configured as a FREESCO router. The ReplayTV can then dial into the FREESCO router using a phone line, phone line simulator, or even a direct connection. Once connected to the FREESCO router, WiRNS or Laho can be used to update the ReplayTV box.
Such a solution is currently complicated, but eventually step by step directions will be provided. A rough draft of a FREESCO solution is HERE.
What about Activation
All units require registry changes to "undo" things DNNA set in some recent updates. Both WiRNS and Perc/Laho will apply these changes for you. We should even be able to activate a new unit.
Where can i get more information
Discussion and work on solutions are quite active in the following Forums:
WiRNS Planet Replay Forum
ReplayTV AVS Forum
How can I help
- If you see anything wrong with this FAQ, please update it. (it is a Wiki after all)
- If you have the technical ability, monitor the forums and help!
- Create step by step solution instructions. (start in the forum, can move to a wiki later)
- Create step by step instruction videos.


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Scores of Graduating High School Students Suspended After Harmless Senior Prank
A small group of seniors at Cascade High School in Clayton, IN celebrated their upcoming graduation with a prank, covering school doors, offices and windows with more than 12,000 colorful Post-It notes.
But the school superintendent apparently didn't think it was so funny — he suspended almost 60 students, and a janitor accused of helping during the prank could lose her job.
Five seniors and one junior were suspended for two days, and superintendent Patrick Spray also recommended the custodian be fired. Dozens of outraged students took to the school gym to stage a sit-in protest — which resulted in scores of more one-day suspensions.
"Disrupting the school day and causing a disruption during the school day is not justified," Spray said. "It's part of every school's code of conduct, and I believe it's very consistent."
Kim Rouse, the custodian whose job is at risk, said she didn't let the students in the building as Spray believes, but is "overwhelmed with all the kids' support. That does help me a lot."
Watch a news story about the episode below.


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Don't Count On McGrady
The 76ers have investigated the availability of Tracy McGrady, but a deal for the Houston Rockets' one-time star seems highly unlikely.
Let's get this out of the way before the 76ers face the Sacramento Kings tonight:
The Sixers have spoken with Houston Rockets' executives about Tracy McGrady, rehabbing from major knee surgery. More than once.
The Rockets didn't seem interested in a deal involving Samuel Dalembert, and they still aren't. They wanted no part of Dalembert's 15 percent trade kicker, and they still don't.
At the same time, even though McGrady ($23 million salary) and the Rockets have agreed to part ways, there's no law that says the Rockets have to trade him. They could just let his $23 million contract expire at the end of this season and deduct it from their payroll.
Sixers president/general manager Ed Stefanski says what you expect him to say: "We talk to all the teams on a regular basis, but I won't talk about players and trades. We are looking at any and all options that might improve the team.''
Who knows what any other team might be offering for McGrady? But there is this from Rockets coach Rick Adelman, to Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle: "The thing people want to write about is who (McGrady) was two years ago. He isn't that right now. We have a whole team. It's not just about what he wants or what he was going to want. It was about what can he do to help us win.''
Bottom line: The Sixers are exploring ways to improve their team.
So are the Rockets.
But don't count on them doing business with each other.